Coffee has become part of the lifestyle of urban communities in Indonesia’s big cities, including Bandung. The market vacancy between instant coffee (sachets) and high-end cafes with a price range of IDR 30,000 and above, in recent years, has been successfully filled by coffee shops that we are familiar with a contemporary coffee shop or es kopi kekinian.

Highlighting express service, small space, and basic formula: coffee, milk, cream, and brown sugar; This type of coffee shop is popular with young and old people because in addition to the matter of taste, a short customer journey (suitable for urban people who are very mobile) and of course the price is friendly, ranging between IDR 15,000 – IDR 25,000.

Several contemporary coffee shop names are also favored by connoisseurs of artisan coffee, for the choice of premium coffee beans and various ways of serving, equipped with qualified barista skills. In most cases, baristas and shop owners certainly receive high appreciation if the coffee is served according to the taste buds of customers. But how many of us know the farmers who cultivate and harvest the coffee we are drinking? Did they receive enough rewards and appreciation for their efforts?

Carrying the Infinite Story of Farmer’s theme, Noka Coffee comes up to answer these questions. Located on Jalan Bali No.15, a few steps from SMA Negeri 5 Bandung – Noka invites coffee connoisseurs to get closer and appreciate the farmers who produce the coffee beans they are enjoying.

The journey of this first branch of Noka begins with various coffees from Kerinci Regency, Jambi Province, Sumatra. There are four farmers whose coffee is enshrined as a product name, namely:

· Kopi Susu Pak Tumino (Kerinci)

· Kopi Susu Mas Sur (Kerinci)

· Kopi Susu Pak Agung (Sungai Penuh)

· Kopi Susu Mak Santi (Sungai Penuh)

Each coffee from the farmers’ fields has its uniqueness, for example, Pak Tumino’s coffee planted in Kayu Aro – at an altitude of 1600 meters above sea level, right at the foot of the highest active volcano in Sumatra, Mount Kerinci. Pak Tumino’s coffee was once a finalist in the Indonesian specialty coffee contest and has its characteristics because it is very supported by the elements of soil nutrients that are very good as it is located at the foot of Mount Kerinci. Then there is also Mak Santi. This female farmer’s field is located on Sungai Penuh, about 45 km from Pak Tumino’s farm. Mak Santi has one coffee process that is highly idolized, namely the honey process, and also the fine Robusta wash – which in 2018 became a finalist in a specialty coffee contest in Yogyakarta and won the runner-up position.

There is a certain reason why Kerinci coffee became Noka’s starting point. Noka’s CEO and Co-Founder, Panji Abdiandra, is a native guy of Kerinci. In the 2015-2017 period, he focused on upstream Kerinci coffee business, connecting farmers with buyers throughout Indonesia and the global market.

“Pak Tumino, Mak Santi, and these Kerinci farmers have long contributed to the wheels of the regional economy due to the stable quality of their coffee beans, which is popular with the export market. Then I thought, it would be nice if the customer could get to know them and give appreciation. Being a farmer is a very potential employment opportunity for young people, therefore we want to showcase farmers who are already successful in Indonesia so that they can inspire young people to better appreciate the profession and hopefully aspire to become farmers. Finally, we are also creating a system where customers can provide tips for farmers that they like for their products – so it’s not just baristas that getting the compliments,” said the Certified Roaster licensee from SCAI (Specialty Coffee Association of Indonesia).

In addition to Kerinci, Noka will also raise the profile of coffee, tea and cocoa farmers from various regions in Indonesia – to supply Noka’s stalls which will be established in Jakarta, Jambi, Makassar, and South Tangerang soon. “Currently we are exploring cooperation with several farmers in Papua, Toraja, and Gayo. The most important thing is sustainability. How can these farmers supply stable quality and quantity of coffee throughout the year, because we need at least 1 ton of coffee a month and it keeps growing each day as the new branches open,” said Rendrian Maharsya, Marketing Director of Noka.

There are still many stories about Indonesian farmers that Noka is willing to share with coffee lovers. One of the big dreams that are now being discussed by the Noka team is the use of blockchain technology, this system aims to create transparency and traceability. Later, each glass served by Noka will have its QR Code – where customers can know when, where and by whom the coffee is harvested, roasted until brewed. In addition to simply providing a different customer experience, this technology aims to oversee the journey of coffee beans from upstream to downstream – to ensure a sustainable business for farmers, distributors, and coffee shop owners.